NHRC asks government to modify Section 377 of IPC

New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Saturday appealed to the government to make all necessary legislative modifications in Section 377 of the Indian Penal Code to ensure that no one is deprived of human rights, following the Supreme Court's verdict on gay sex.

"The NHRC is of the view that all people regardless of their sexual orientation or gender identity should be able to enjoy their human rights," the commission said in a statement.

"The commission appeals to the government to urgently take all necessary legislative treatment on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity so that no one is deprived of their human rights," the statement said.

In 2009, the Delhi High Court held that Section 377 which criminalises consensual sex between adults of the same gender was violative of Article 21 of the Constitution that says no one shall be deprived of life or personal liberty except according to law.

The High court was of the view that Section 377 grossly violated the rights of people who are lesbians, gays, bisexual or transgender. The view was reversed by the Supreme Court.